Recognizing rifle cases using berdan primers:

[gdc/dc]

how do you recognize rifle cases using the " berdan primers", hard on decapping dies not for the same. Jc

 

[scubohuntr]

Broken decapping pins...

But seriously, use your bore light and look inside. One hole= Boxer. Two or three= Berdan. You probably only need to look at one case per headstamp. Also, if you get a really great deal on off-brand brass, be suspicious.

 

[fguffey]

I have a R.P. 270 Winchester case that uses Berdan primers. I sorted through 23,000 cases a few years ago and while sorting I found 3 cases that used Berdan primers, when I finished sorting the cases could not find the Berdan cases.

F. Guffey

 

[XTR]

Broken decapping pins...

What he said.

 

[dickn52]

I found that SOME Berdan cases used a red sealant around the primer. BUT that is not always true either.

 

[Bill Koepke]

I found that SOME Berdan cases used a red sealant around the primer. BUT that is not always true either.

I had bought 223 ammo from Dicks primer had red sealant around primer but they were boxer primers. Broke a couple of pins because the flash hole wasn't centered.

 

[DRNewcomb]

Let's see:
1) 3 radial staking dents around the primer.
2) Odd headstamp
3) Can be picked up with a magnet
4) Really huge primers (e.g. Brit. .303)
5) Shine a light down the neck and look for small off-center flash-holes.

 

[jepp2]

1) 3 radial staking dents around the primer.
2) Odd headstamp
3) Can be picked up with a magnet
4) Really huge primers (e.g. Brit. .303)
5) Shine a light down the neck and look for small off-center flash-holes.

I have seen boxer primed with the 3 stakes around the primer, and some brass cases have berdan primers (not just steel). If they look different, use step 5), always works.

 

[DRNewcomb]

I have seen boxer primed with the 3 stakes around the primer, and some brass cases have berdan primers (not just steel). If they look different, use step 5), always works.

Yep, and I've seen odd headstamps with boxer primers, too. The only 100% check is to look down the neck but if the headstamp says, "LC 77", it's probably not necessary. If you can pick it up with a magnet, I can't see any reason to keep it, whatever primer it has.

 

[spclark]

If you can pick it up with a magnet, I can't see any reason to keep it...

... or try to resize it for reloading....